I’ve made the same mistake as I did last year in my New Purchases Show & Tell November 2016, I haven’t bought any Christmas presents yet and I’m leaving it all to do in December. Shit. I need to break this habit.

So, if I haven’t been spending my money on gifts for the big pig-out day in December then what have I been doing? Well, I went to Belgium.

David and I spent a few days away, which funnily enough we did the same thing last year when we went to Edinburgh. (Although this is a habit that doesn’t urgently need breaking…) But I accidentally slipped and fell into some Black Friday deals too. So some of my money went there, witness below.

New Purchases Show & Tell November 2017

So here’s what I’ve been spending my monthly pay on:

Back2Front Holiday House (AirBnb) – 39 seconds inDavid and I went to Ypres, a place we’ve wanted to explore for a while for its First World War history. (We like our historical holidays…) I really wanted to highlight our Airbnb from our trip because it was great value! It was placed conveniently out of town and nestled within the countryside. It was quiet, peaceful and just right for us to explore Ypres and the areas around it. (I will do a blog post on this soon, don’t worry.)

Fashion Union Petite High Neck Top In Velvet – 1:38 minutes inBack to the usual products you typically see me buying, month in month out… When I first saw this top flicking through my ASOS app, I knew it was ‘the one’ for my work’s Christmas party too. That, and a kind of ‘alternative’ but classy Christmas jumper. I don’t know why I couldn’t see that it was velvet from the website, or that the ‘ball balls’ were actually pearls (fake ones of course). Both pleasantly surprised me though and made me love this top more.

TopShop PETITE Dobby Trim T-Shirt – 3:51 minutes inOkay, in comes the Black Friday items I couldn’t resist. No surprises they’re all from TopShop (I can never resist their sales). This was a basic top I spotted a while back, but felt it was maybe a little pricey for what it was. (I was just being tight probably – I have a mortgage to pay!) Thankfully I whipped it up in the sale with £10 off – the sleeves are so pretty!

TopShop PETITE Stitchy Knitted T-Shirt – 4:30 minutes inI caught sight of this top before it went into the sale too, but same story above; I was trying to save money, so I didn’t splash out on it, blah blah blah. This top was slightly more expensive though (at £26) but was knocked down to the same price of £12. Bargain, and so versatile!

TopShop PETITE Floral Cupped Body – 5:00 minutes inAs is the case with most sales, even Black Friday sales, you end up buying an item completely out of season. Like this, very summery body. The kind of thing I should be wearing out in California or somewhere, rather than folding it away and hoping for a heatwave in Britain. It was cheap as chips though (by TopShop standards) – £8!

Next month…

Oh lord, Christ was born… on Christmas Day… which is this month! I’ve really got to pull my socks up and whip my debit cards out, through Amazon, shopping and anywhere else to start ticking off my Christmas list.

As I did last New Purchases Show & Tell December 2016, I’ll be bringing you this December’s video and post a little earlier than usual. In it, I will divulge all the gifts I’ve bought for friends and family, in case you need any last minute gift inspiration. (Which if you do, you’re worse than me.)

I have not been asked, sponsored or paid to review any of these products. I just like to shop!

And just like that – poof! – it’s my New Purchases Show & Tell August 2017. Every weekend was booked this month for me to attend some form of social do. So, to rise to the occasion (pun intended) I had to get myself all dolled up and prepared.

I attended 2 weddings, a hen do and a day trip up to London – I had no weekend free! The weddings in particular required some new classy robes and so I hope you don’t mind that this month will be heavily clothes related. (I did warn ya!)

New Purchases Show & Tell August 2017 video

City Goddess Petite Wrap Midi Dress – 30 seconds inLet’s do this in order… Here’s the dress I wore to the first wedding, at the beginning of the month. I made a big ol’ Asos order compiled of many dresses before whittling it down to this mint midi dress. In fact I still wasn’t 100% about it until I wore it on the day, then I couldn’t be more pleased. I felt super classy and it definitely has wearability for another summer wedding (maybe next year).

Little Mistress Petite Prom Skater Dress – 1:42 minutes in
The very next weekend we attended another wedding. I had yellow in mind for this one, although I made another big ASOS order that included a variety of colours. And so after another elimination process this pastel yellow prom dress was the winner. (Despite the fact I wasn’t keen on the embellishment and the bridesmaid’s dresses were also yellow. Oops.)

TopShop PETITE Pinstar Knot Mini Slip Dress – 2:38 minutes in…and here’s the part of my New Purchases Show & Tell August 2017 post where my weakness for TopShop is clear to see. I wore this to the hen do I mentioned, but I would have bought this regardless. I love the tie-up and cut out detailing, it’s described as a slip dress too so I’m thinking I can wear a t-shirt underneath it in autumn too?

TopShop PETITE Floral Dress – 3:14 minutes inI’d kept my eyes on this little floral number for a few months. When I saw the original price (around £40) I kept my cool and was like nope, that can wait until the price drops and drop it did. I whipped it up for £18; what a win.

TopShop PETITE Spot & Floral Print Jumpsuit – 3:55 minutes inThis wasn’t in the sale, but I got it anyway, can you blame me? Being a short ass I often miss out on jumpsuits as they’re just too long for me. Thank heavens for this being in the TopShop Petite range then, with a brilliant print to boot too.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation – 4:14 minutes inOh my god. This foundation. I now question myself on why it took me so long to buy it. The coverage is literally so smooth, even with applying with a brush (rather than a beauty blender). I implore anyone to give it a try.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – 5:04 minutes inOne final note/purchase, which is yet another book from the Kindle store. I think I mistakenly said in the video that this was in the monthly deals in the Kindle store for 99p, but it might have actually been in the daily deals. (As I can’t find it in the monthly deals now. Apologies if you’ve missed it.) I’ve watched the film, which I thought had a rushed start, but a better end half. So I thought I’d give the book a go.

Next month…

As mentioned, David and I have made a very important purchase recently, which I haven’t included in my New Purchases Show & Tell August 2017. (Reason being is because I want to dedicate a separate video (and maybe post?) for this. Yes, it’s that important!)

Without giving too much away (which I probably already have), there will be some a lot of purchases to be made because of this. All will be revealed soon…

I have not been asked, sponsored or paid to review any of these products. I just like to shop!

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I started this series! My New Purchases Show & Tell July 2017 officially marks the series’ first anniversary and yes, I have decided to celebrate. (By hosting a giveaway competition no less – keep reading to find out how you can enter!)

This month I had my boyfriends 30th birthday (yes the big 3-0!). After much planning (and sneaking around), his parents and I managed to create a 30th birthday photo book! It was such a great present to make and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I finally gave it to him.

Other than that, I’ve been making the usual I-probably-shouldn’t-be-spending-money-on-this purchases… So let’s delve in!

New Purchases Show & Tell July 2017

Truprint Photo Book – 26 seconds inOkay so I’ve already gushed about this, but I’m honestly quite pleased on how it turned out. I think this makes a great gift idea for those big birthdays, or even other occasions in fact. Using Truprint was easy as there’s pre-arranged layouts you can drop your photos into. You can add text, illustrations and filters too and it is so much quicker than making a homemade scrapbook!

ASOS Flery Leather Flat Sandals – 1:19 minutes inIs it just me who’s been putting off wearing sandals? I just felt my feet looked weird flat and I’d never give up my comfy trainers. However, when the weather really heated up a month of so ago, even my trainers were too hot to wear. I caved in and you know what, sandals are so much cooler (I know, shock) and I guess my exposed feet don’t look that weird when they’re flat?

TopShop Bag -1:57 minutes inHow classy is this bag? I picked this up in the TopShop sale in store, I can’t find it on the website. I find I wear these over the shoulder bags the most and this one is a great size for my essentials; namely my purse (it’s a massive one), phone and keys!

H&M Short Shorts – 2:26 minutes inI tend to show off the cute dresses, going out outfits and fashionable clothes I buy in my New Purchases Show & Tell series. But lo and behold – a casual just-for-round-the-house item has finally made it in! If I’m not planning to see another human being ALL DAY then this is something I tend wear with a t-shirt. Ahh, so comfy.

H&M Spotted Dress – 2:43 minutes inH&M have really hooked me back in recently, in a big way. As I’ve said previously on this series, I felt for a long time I just wasn’t inspired by any of their clothes. But now things have changed and they’re going back up in my standards! I think this dress is just so cute, and it was only £14.99. (!)

ASOS PETITE Mini Tea Dress – 2:58 minutes inI feel like if you don’t snatch something up on ASOS lately then you’re chance is gone! ASOS must be doing seriously well atm… Anyway, I’m probably not short of your typical floral dress, but I bought one just in case and I feel like I could wear this to work too.

ASOS PETITE Denim Shirt – 3:16 minutes in
I have been on the hunt for a denim shirt for what feels like an age. I’ve tried plenty on, but just felt like I got a bit fussy with them. I didn’t want any embellishments, frays or crazy embroidery… and ASOS once again delivered. (The next day too!)

GIVEAWAY & Next Month…

Right, onto the GOOD stuff! As I’ve been dutifully filming and blogging my series for a year now, I want to mark the anniversary with a celebratory giveaway! I’m giving away a £30 Spotify voucher (which I know doesn’t sound like much, but that’s 3 months of Spotify Premium people!)

To enter: please comment on my New Purchases Show & Tell July 2017 video here – and that’s it! If you’re not sure what to comment I have asked for which item you’ve enjoyed the most watching in this WHOLE series. Or you could recommend me something you think I might like?

Plus, I’ll give you an extra chance of winner if you’re a reader of my blog – comment here too for an extra entry! The winner will be announced in my next New Purchases Show & Tell video and over on my Facebook page. (Link below if you haven’t done so yet!)

As we’re already well into “next month”, I have a pretty good idea on what is coming up – WEDDING GUEST DRESSES! And spray tans…

I have not been asked, sponsored or paid to review any of these products. I just like to shop!

Forgive me for the following click baity sentence to open this post, but, I think I’ve bought THE BEST purchase I’ve made so far this year!

It’s another purchase getting me excited and ready for summer! (Although I know that statement is a little premature; it’s freezing right now in England.)

Instead of relying on the weather though, because there’s no guarantee of clear blue skies even in June (oops there’s a clue!), it’s more the memory and smiles it’ll leave behind that I’m most looking forward to…

I can’t contain it much longer, watch my video or read below to find out!

New Purchases Show & Tell April 2017

Don’t worry, I haven’t saved the BEST to last.

Glastonbury Festival 2017 tickets! – 13 seconds inTHIS is the purchase I’m talking about! When tickets first went on sale last October and myself and my friends unfortunately lucked out, I started to worry this might actually be the year we don’t make it to Glastonbury. But with a lot of determination (and tapping the refresh button to an inch of its life!) we gave it another shot in the resale and GOT THEM! I am SO excited, Glastonbury related content may be on the agenda in the next few weeks…

GHD Curve Soft Curl Tong – 1:07 minutes inI’m also really excited about this purchase. I’ve been wanting to create that Pinterest worthy hair for a long time and the cheap curling tongs I already had just weren’t cutting it. Based on the success of my GHD straighteners (that are still going strong after 7 years…) I splashed out on one of the brand’s curling tongs. So far, so good. Watch this space for hair tutorials and my full review!

TOPSHOP Petite Embroidered Body – 2:04 minutes inLooking at this yes I know I may be betting on a good summer, but I couldn’t let this slip away to the dreaded ‘out of stock’ status while I sat around waiting for sunshine. I’m glad I whipped it up when I did too, as it’s no longer available in TopShop’s Petite range. When the suns does eventually come out, I’ll happily be pairing this with my Ray-Ban’s.

Clarins Paris Everlasting Foundation – 2:41 minutes inI hit empty on my last foundation, on the day of a friend’s wedding no less! A dire situation indeed, so I hurried to the nearest beauty counter I could to replace it. This is my first ever full coverage foundation, which I’ve avoided until now. I guess I was a bit scared of it looking weird on me, a bit caked on like a china doll? I don’t go full air hostess mode but I’m starting to come round to a full coverage look.

Freedom Finer Ring Set – 3:28 minutes inI really thought I’d seen this before, with the amount of times I snoop around TopShop. But nope, this must have slipped my usual reconnaissance! I love jewellery that’s more delicate and dainty so I had to buy these when I saw them. I’ll also be keeping a check at the Freedom stand for other finer jewellery.

The People v O.J. Simpson – 3:55 minutes in
I can’t get my mind off this case. I heard this was a great series to watch and boy has it sucked me in! I’ve even got myself and my boyfriend watching the mammoth documentary series O.J.: Made in America – seriously, we’re hooked. Going back to the People v O.J. Simpson on Netflix though, there’s a brilliant A-list cast who act out this unbelievable story. It’s incredible!

Next month…

As you can probably guess, there’ll be a few Glastonbury bits to add to my list. Like one of the essentials for Glastonbury is of course a sturdy pair of wellies! Mine have seen the last two Glastonbury’s, along with other festivals before that and so it might be time to buy a newer pair. (Should I go Hunter’s? Leave your comments or suggestions below!)

I have not been asked, sponsored or paid to review any of these products. I just like to shop!

Catch up & Watch

Spring has sprung, sort of, and it’s time for my New Purchases Show & Tell March 2017! It’s around the time of year I usually start daydreaming about warmer days ahead and what I might plan for summer…

I’ve certainly done the daydreaming part, as for summer plans there is a little something I’ve planned and purchased this month. Find out below!

New Purchases Show & Tell March 2017

If my video isn’t NSFW then no worries, I’ve written a list below about what appears in my video.

Stardew Valley – 18 seconds inI had no other option but to talk about this game first – as if my video thumbnail isn’t obvious enough! I downloaded my first ever game from Steam, which is very exciting! Way back on Playstation 1 and 2 I loved the Harvest Moon games and I miss them sorely. So a work friend recommended me Stardew Valley, a game that’s apparently better than them both! I know, quite a statement. I’m enjoying it so far though and it was only £10! Downloadable for both Mac and PC.

Gorillaz / Demon Dayz Festival tickets – 1:41 minutes inOkay, this is what I was talking about in regards to making the first of my summer plans. When I first heard news of this gig I had to get my hands on tickets. Margate is just a stones throw away for me so how could I not go to the town’s, or even the county’s, biggest gig of the YEAR?! It’s going to be awesome and I’ll try my best to vlog it.

TopShop PETITE Bow Back Body – 2:40 minutes in…and the remaining New Purchases Show & Tell items don’t seem quite as exciting after that! This top was another bargain winner for me, I tried it on in Oxford Street’s TopShop and wasn’t convinced to spend £24 on it. I then saw it in the sale not too long after and whipped it up. All I need now is some matching ballerina-like pumps!

Zara Floral Lace Top (not exact name) – 3:06 minutes inThe same day I luckily got the chance to stroll around Oxford Street I’d ventured into Zara too, which seems like a shop I haven’t been into for a long time. I spotted this on the Last Chance to Buy rail and thought it looked too pretty to miss. I think it’s definitely versatile as a ‘nice top’ for festival season and the boho trend.

H&M Basics Jumper (again not exact name) – 3:37 minutes inLately the weather has been quite sunny, so I feel a bit silly showing this to you. But, at the time of purchase it was rainy and summer, or spring even, still felt a long while off. Big chunky and cosy jumpers are probably the clothing item I wear the most, so buying one more can’t hurt right?

Next month…

In last month’s New Purchases Show & Tell I did set out to buy some Nars make up. As you can see that didn’t happen, so it’s now moved over to this month’s list instead.

I also mentioned that I was tempted by a GHD curling tong, as I’m growing my hair longer I really want to master the art of waves. I do have my own curling tongs already but they just don’t seem to cut it (and GHD have never let me down).

Hopefully next month I would have made a few more summer plans too. Only time will tell!

I have not been asked, sponsored or paid to review any of these products. I just like to shop!

H E L L O 👋🏻

I'm Emma, I'm a Kent girl who's a year away from a new decade (my 30s!). I'm a homeowner along with my boyfriend and enjoy blogging about that, other lifestyle tidbits, travel and practical beauty. Welcome to my little corner of the internet!